Boundaries: meaning, definitions and examples

Use for social, personal, or emotional limits.

• It's important to set personal boundaries in relationships.
• The company respects the boundaries of its employees.

Use for general restrictions; can be physical, emotional, or conceptual.

• Know your limits to avoid burnout.
• This road has a speed limit of 60 mph.

Use for geographical or political dividing lines.

• They live near the border of France and Germany.
• The border between the two countries has always been a point of conflict.

Use for restrictions or limitations often in a negative sense, particularly in planning or design.

• There are time constraints to consider.
• Financial constraints are limiting our project.

Used to refer to limits or edges that define an area, often abstract or theoretical aspects such as personal space, acceptable behavior, or limits of a discussion.

• It's important to set personal boundaries in relationships.
• The boundaries of the debate were clearly defined.

Refers to the official lines that define geographical areas, such as countries or states, usually implying political or administrative divisions.

• The border between the two countries was heavily guarded.
• They moved to a town near the Canadian border.

Often used to describe the extreme limits of understanding, exploration, or knowledge, typically connoting a sense of adventure or uncharted territory.

• Scientists are constantly pushing the frontiers of knowledge.
• Space is considered the final frontier.

Used to describe lines or distinctions that separate two things, often used metaphorically to denote clear differences or separations.

• There is a thin dividing line between love and hate.
• The dividing line between the rich and the poor is becoming more pronounced.

Used to describe physical or abstract dividing lines between areas, concepts, or categories. Often referenced in conversations about personal space, rules, or areas of knowledge.

• It’s important to set boundaries in a relationship to ensure mutual respect.
• The boundaries of the national park are clearly marked on the map.

Generally used to describe the maximum extent or boundaries of something, often in terms of capacity, range, or rules. Can be used in both physical and abstract contexts.

• He pushed his body to the limits during the marathon.
• There are strict limits on how much luggage you can bring on the flight.

Refers to the outermost limits of a surface or area. Often used in more physical or tangible contexts, rather than abstract or metaphorical.

• Be careful near the edges of the cliff.
• The edges of the paper were cut precisely.

Typically refers to the lines that separate different countries or regions. Can also imply limits or edges of an object, though this usage is less common.

• The borders between the two countries have been heavily guarded.
• She decorated the borders of the invitation card with flowers.